The Washington critic., 1887-04-22
QUESTIONS ASD DUTIES.

In lending us CondluOnal recognition
TO the Knights of Labor viii have
marked effect in building up the Labor
organization at the expense OF either
or both of the old parties Is question
of considerable interest TO the pollti'
clans
Whether the condition thus imposed
may not lead toa schlsm in the ranks of
Catholicism in the United States ani
the establishment OF m American
Catholic Church IS question Of pecu.
liar interest to the Roman hicrarcay.
Whether The adoption Of the land
theories agitapl ~ Henry George and
endorsed by Dr. McG'yuu viii not pro.
ducc a serious break In the new party
is question Of immediate and urgent
interest to the knights Of Labor.
These three questions so compllcate
the situation thnt no one can make
definite or satisfactory forecast Of the
outcome. 1t may reasonably be as.
sumed, however, that until the Knights
arrive at some compact and harmoni.
Ous formulation of doctrine, consist.
ent with good citizenship aul sound
principles, they will make no appreci-
able iuroad upon the voting strength
of the hitherto great conservative par
ties of the country. The growing
spirit of independence in religious rs
in political action cannot be checked,
nor is II essenu al TO the safety of our
institutions that II should be, so long
MS It tends in wholesome directions, but
we cannot believe that any consider
able number Of American Catholics
are ready TO takeup with the leadership
of DR.. McGlynn, any more than we
can believe that the Knights of Labor
MS body are ready to acknowledge
the leadership and swallow the false
political economy of Henry George
The latter have repudlated the worst
forms of Socialism; let them now elm
mate from their organization its lesI
offensive, but possibly quito as insidi
Gus forms, promulgated by the imprac
,icable and visionary reformers of thu
McGlynn George school.
"But," says prominent member o
what is known as the "Commoners
Committee" at Pittsburg, Il think
can be good Catholic. a good Knigh
of Labor and good George man at tn
same time" How are irlnitarians o
this sort TO be disposed of-men VIII
labor under the Imagination that the,
can be thee incompatible things a
once?
Time alone can determine the resul
of this period Of political and religion
unrest; but 1t peculiarly becomes til
Democratic party, rs the party in con
troll of the Administration, and Of the RI
publican party rs dividing with it III
control of Congress, to move with wis
dom and circumspectiou, for TO the eS
tent that either Of these parties fails /
It's obligations to the interests of tn
people and tile promotion of the puGll
welfare, to that extent Is the process q
their own disintcgration hastenei an
the precipitation of new and dau
gcrous Issues made more possible.
1t will be a grave caltmity for tn
Government of the United States il
through the neglect or incompetenc
Of Its chosen rulers, II ever falls int
the hands Of men who, claiming to /
good Catholics, ignore the solemn mar
dates of their spiritual head, or clain
ing to be good Knights of Labor essa
to undermine the validity of their ow
titles to the property they earn, {
claiming TO be good Henry Georg
men" have no scruples about hobnol
bipg with Anarchy and Socialism ju
across the border.line Of honor an
safety, This need not be If the patrio
ism Of the country is equal to It's pr
fessions,
IT Is the universal impression, base